08 October 2025, Hesse, Egelsbach: A senior inspector from the Hesse Police Flying Squadron demonstrates the use of a drone at the Drone Competence Center. The competence center has been in existence since 2019, and since the end of 2024 there have been legal regulations in the Hessian Police Act for the use, detection and defense of drones. Photo: Arne Dedert/dpa (Photo by Arne Dedert/picture alliance via Getty Images)
In response to a series of mysterious drone incursions that recently forced shutdowns at Munich Airport, the German cabinet has approved a groundbreaking measure allowing police to shoot down uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) posing a threat. This marks a significant shift in Germany’s approach to counter-drone defense, which has previously focused solely on detection rather than active interception.
The decision comes amidst a wave of drone incidents across Europe, which German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attributes to Russia’s intensified hybrid warfare efforts—a claim that Moscow has denied. On Wednesday, Chancellor Merz took to social media to emphasize the urgency of updating German law to address these new threats.
“Drone incidents threaten our safety,” said Merz. “We will not allow that. We are strengthening the powers of the federal police so that drones can be detected and intercepted more quickly in the future.”
New Powers for Police and Technological Measures
The newly approved law grants police the authority to shoot down drones that violate German airspace, particularly in cases posing an acute threat or potential for serious harm. This measure, however, still requires parliamentary approval before it can be enacted. In addition to kinetic counter-drone solutions, the law permits the use of lasers or jamming signals to disrupt control and navigation links of the drones.
According to the legislation, “In order to combat a threat posed by unmanned aerial systems on land, in the air or on water, the federal police may deploy appropriate technical means against the system, its control unit or its control connection if other means of combating the threat would be futile or otherwise significantly more difficult.”
Rising Drone Incursions and Strategic Responses
The approval of this law follows a 33% increase in drone-related air traffic disruptions in Germany this year. Data from Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS) indicates there were 172 such events between January and September 2025, compared to 129 during the same period last year.
In response to these incursions, German police are establishing a new counter-drone unit. To enhance the unit’s expertise, German officials plan to consult with countries like Israel and Ukraine, which have extensive experience in both deploying and defending against drones. Additionally, Germany is devising a system to divide counter-drone responsibilities between police and military forces.
“Police would deal with drones flying at around tree-level, whereas more powerful drones should be tackled by the military,” explained Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt.
International Context and Comparisons
The debate over drone defense in Germany mirrors similar discussions in the United States, where federal laws restrict military responses due to concerns over collateral damage. The U.S. military, constrained by these laws, is not actively pursuing the use of lasers, microwaves, or missiles for drone interception.
Germany faces additional challenges due to its legal framework, which limits military action to defensive roles in war-like scenarios. Despite this, German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall is poised to receive a multi-billion-dollar order for its Skyranger anti-aircraft gun system, which could be used to counter drone threats under the new law.
Concerns about civilian harm from counter-drone measures remain significant, particularly in densely populated areas. Recent drone incursions over European nations have prompted Germany to deploy the frigate FGS Hamburg to Copenhagen to safeguard European Union meetings, emphasizing detection over engagement.
“The principle of proportionality and minimizing collateral damage are two important aspects we always keep in mind,” stated a spokesperson for the Bundeswehr Joint Force Command.
Implications and Future Developments
The growing concern over NATO airspace security intensified following Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace and a subsequent violation by Russian MiG-31 Foxhound interceptors into Estonian airspace. These incidents have heightened tensions against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
As drone incursions continue, German leaders are striving to align national laws with those of other European countries, such as France and Britain, which have expanded their security forces’ powers to neutralize unauthorized drones.
“Today we are creating a strong law for the federal police,” proclaimed Dobrindt, introducing the new counter-drone measures. “We are reacting decisively, effectively, and technically at the cutting edge.”
The new legislation is a decisive step towards enhancing Germany’s ability to address the growing drone threat, ensuring both public safety and national security in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.
